Labornet Japan is a network of citizens, unionists, activists, scholars and others from all walks of life to share information especially about rights and struggles in and outside of Japan. Established in 2001, the group now has more than 500 members, and the membership is growing. The English site introduces some reports shared on Labornet Japan website and other sources outside of Japan.

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Let’s get connected with students and young people! ～ Ouchi Hirokazu speaks at ‘Hinomaru and Kimigayo’ gathering

It’s
been 13 years since the Tokyo metropolitan government began enforcing the “Hinomaru
(national flag raising) and Kimigayo (singing of the national anthem)” at
public schools in Tokyo. A gathering against this enforcement was held in
Suginami Ward in Tokyo on Feb. 13. The meeting, which was promoted by a Tokyo network
against the board of education, drew about 100 people.

At first,
OUCHI Hirokazu, Chukyo University professor (see photo), gave a lecture titled,
“Security legislation and Education.” Ouchi,
who has shined a light on abuses against part-timers and led the movement to
tackle issues surrounding student loan, pointed out that it is important to
think about anti-security legislation and poverty together.

He
said, “neo-liberalism have driven income gap and poverty to the worst level.
About half of young people live under 3 million yen a year. The number of workers
who cannot afford to live is increasing. It is necessary to criticize impoverishment
as well as dismantling of constitutionalism. In short, a movement that brings
power shift to the relationship between wage labor and capital is being sought.